Automatic casting rod with line gripping means



AUTOMATIC CASTING Ron WITH LINE GRIFFIN@- MEANS Filed April 17. 1961Jan- 19, 1965- J. R. sTEPHENsON 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 19, 1965 J. R.sTEPHENsoN AUTOMATIC CASTING Non WITH LINE GRIPPING MEANS Filed April17, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. J/MS E STEPHENSIV H/S TTOENEYS Jan.19, 1965 J. R. STEPHENSON AUTOMATIC CASTING Ron WITH LINE GRIFFIN@ MEANSFiled April 17. 1961 3,1e5,855 AUTMATIC CASTING RD WITH LM GRIPPENGMEANS James R; Stephenson, Kettering, Ohio; Cari M Stephenson,administrator of said .Eames Ra Stephenson, Y deceased Fiied Apr. 17,1961, Ser. No. 193,3@55

` 14 Claims. (Ci. i3-19) This invention relatesto an automatic castingrodand moreA particularly to a fishing rod adapted to Aautomati callycarry out the ordinary manual operations performed by a fishermanrincasting out hisV line; however, the invention is not necessarily solimited.

The present application is a continuation-in-par-t of my copendingapplication Serial No. 22,216, tiled April 14, 1960, for an AutomaticCasting Rod.

In the ordinary casting operation a iisherman attaches a weight to aline which is supplied from a spinning or casting reel. Holding the linetight. with his nger or thumb, the fisherman then swings his rodoverhead through a swiftly executed circular arc to give the Weightattached to the line an outward momentum. Near the end of the circulararc the fisherman releases the line, permitting themomentum of theweight to carry the line out away from the rod. Where a casting reel isused the fisherman manually takes up the momentum of the ree-l as theoutward motion of the Weightfades. This prevents overspin of the reel.Where a spinning reel is used, the reel itself does no t rotate andtherefore acquires no momentum and no manual braking of the device isrequired.

In the past numerous automatic mechanisms have been designed Aforcarrying out the casting operation. In general, these mechanisms relayupon an abrupt swinging movement of the iishing rod which is produced bya spring or similar mechanism. A problem common to allv of these devicesis the problem of securing the weight in such a manner that it Willacquire momentum during the initial swinging movement of the rod, butwill be released just prior to the end of the arcuate swing of the rod.If the weight is not properly secured at the beginning of the swing, thefishing line merely dewinds'from the spinning or casting reel and theweight acquires no outward momentum. On the other hand, if the weight isnot released pr-ior to the end of the swing, part of its momentum islost as the swing terminates and an erratic casting operation results.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic castingdevice including means for anchoring the weight at the commencement ofthe casting movement and for releasing the weight prior to the end ofthe casting movement. Another object of the present invention is toprovide an improved trigger mechanism for controlling the operation ofthe casting rod.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved springactuated mechanism for operating an automatic casting fishing rod.

Otherobjects and advantagesreside in the construction of parts, thecombination thereof, the method of manufacture and the mode ofoperation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating two positions ofthe automatic casting rod.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the operating mechanismof the casting rod.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view oftheoperating mechanism of the casting rod with parts shown in section.

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of United States PatentC ri t ' Patented Jan. 19,196

a line clamping 4mechanism employed in the present 'invention, partsbeing shown in phantom detail. FIGURES is a greatly enlarged sectionalView illustrating one mode of operation yof the line clamping means ofFIGURE 6 is an enlarged exploded view illustrating structural details ofthe operating mechanism. Y

FIGURE V7 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrat ing two positionsof a modified casting rod. f l

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the modiiied `casting rodwith portions broken' away and vother portions shownrin exploded detail.v

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a modified lineclampingmechanism in disassembled detail. v

lFIGURE 10 is an end elevation lview with parts shown in sectionillustrating the operation of theline clamping mechanism of FIGURE 9. Y

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, a fishing rod havingy -ahandle 10 and a rod portion 12 is illustrated in FIGURE 1. The handleand the rod portion are pivotally joined by a mechanism' bestVillustrated in FIG- URES 3 and 6.

Turning attention to FIGURE 3, it `will'be observed that the handle 10terminates toward the left end of the gure in a block portion 14. InFIGURE 6, it will be seen that a plurality of screws 17 secure plates 15`and 16 to opposite sides of the block portion 14. Positioned betweenthe plates 15 and 16 is a sprocket wheel v1S journalled on an axle 21D.This axle is tubular andis secured by screws 19 passing through theplates 1S and 16 and threaded internally of the axle 20. The sprocketwheel 1S has oppositely disposed circular bosses 18a which ll the spacebetween the paltes 15 and 16.

The rod portion 12 terminates in a cylindrical cap por-4 tion 21to'which is fixed Va substantially sol-id shaft 22; As best illustratedin FIGURE 6, the shaft 22 :terminates at its Vinner end with a largeprojection 23 and smaller spaced projections 24a and 24h. Theseprojections cov operate to provide a channel for receiving the peripheryof the sprocket wheel 1S. The latter is fixedly secured to theprojections by pins 25. Through this` means AtheV rodportion 12 isfixedto the sprocket wheel 18. Since theV sprocket wheel 18 is rotatablerelative to the handle 10, the rod portion 12 is pivotable relativetothehandle 1t). i

The pivotal movement of the rodp -ortion 12 in a counter-clockwisedirection as illustrated; in FIGURE-3 is limited by a pin 26 passingthrough the sprocket wheel 18 which engages complementary seats 27formed in the block portion'14. The pin 26 cooperates with the seats 27to locate the rod portion 12 in arest position for ordinary fishingoperations.

As illustrated in lFIGURE 3, the sprocket Wheel:18 is biased vto therest position by an elongate spring 28 which acts upon a link chain 30adapted to nest in the teeth Voi? the Vsprocket wheel 1,8. The terminallink 31 ofV the chain 3) is permanently secured to the sprocket wheel'18`by means of the pin 34. i

As illustratedV in FIGURES 3..and 6, the chain 30 passes through acentral bore 29` in theb lock portion 14 into a sleeve 32 in theinteriorof the handle 10.r The chain 30 is connected tothe spring 2S by means ofan elongate rod 36 anchored at one end to the chain 30. At its oppositeend the rod 36 passes through a washer 42 where it encireles aVtransverse pinV 38.. The pin 38 has a length slightly less than thediameter. of the 'sleeve 32 and thereby secures the rod 36 againstmovement through the washer 42. `The spring28 is 'compressed .betweenthe washer 42 andthe blockportion 14. 1 i- A chain and sprocketconstruction of the type disclosed herein offers the advantage that asubstantially pure rota- D tional torque is applied to the sprocket.Thus, substantially all the force of the spring 2S is applied to thesprocket at the point of separation between the chain and the sprocket;a point vertically below the rotational axis of the sprocket, as viewedin FIGURE 3. With such construction radial loads on the axle 20 are`minimized.

According'to the foregoing construction, it is evident that uponclockwise movement of the rod portion 12 relative to the handle' 10, thespring 28 is compressed. Latch means are employed to lock the rodportion 12 at any desired pointinl its pivotal movementrelative to thehandle 10. This latch means comprises a triggermember 44 which, as bestseen in FIGURE 6, is formed of parts 44a, 44b, and 44c laminatedtogether and secured by rivets 45. This trigger member is pivoted on anaxle 46 journalled between the' plates 15 and 16 and carries a trans-.verse rod portion or detent 48 adapted to latch in any of the notchesin the sprocket4 wheel 18.

The central laminated part 44C of the trigger member projects upwardlyinto a longitudinal channel (not shown) in the block portion 14 where itis acted upon by a spring 47 seated in a bore 49 formed in the blockportion 14.

The spring 47 applies a sufficient bias tothe trigger member 44 toanchor the sprocket Wheel against counterclockwise movement as viewed inFIGURE 3) in any selected position. On the other hand, the triggermember is so arranged angularly with respect to the periphery of thesprocket Wheel that the detent 4S carried thereby is automaticallycammed out from between the teeth of the sprocket wheel on clockwisemovement thereof. Thus, the rod 12 may be cocked to any desired positionwithout interference from the latch mechanism. Once cocked, the latchmechanism will automatically lock the rod in place. Upon subsequentretraction of the trigger member, the spring 28 will operate to forcethe rod to its rest position.

This forced pivotal movement of the rod portion 12 from its cockedposition to its rest position simulates an ordinary casting movement. Asemphasized hereinbefore, however, such movement will be effective tocast a weight and associated line only when the weight is carried by therod portion during the initial portion of the movement. Meansforsecuring the weight are described in the following.

. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 22 associated with the rod portion 12 isa loop member 50. A complementary loop member 52 is pivotally securedadjacent the loop member 50. For this purpose the loop member 52 has adownwardly extending shaft'53 journalledvin a suitable transverseaperture in the shaft 22. Internally of the shaft 22, shaft 53 carries apinion 54, best seen in FIG- URE 4. This pinion is engaged by anactuating rack 56 mounted in an axially extending bore 55 in the shaft22 and slidable outwardly thereof between the projections 24a and 24h.

The rack 56 is biased outwardly by means of a spring 58 seated in thebore 55. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the rack 56 is located to one sideof the sprocket wheel 18 and is biased against the periphery of anarcuate cam '62 xedly secured to the plate 16 by a screw 60.

With the rod portion 12 in its rest position, as illustrated in FIGURE3, it will be observed that the actuator rack 56 engages the. outerperiphery of the cam 62 and in such position the rack 56 holds the loopmember 52 at substantial right angles to the loop member 50. When therod portion 12 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as illustrated inFIGURE 3, the rack 56 drops off the cam 62 and advances inwardly underforce of the spring 5S until the loop member 52 pivots into parallelclamping relation to the fixed loop member 50. As will be described ingreater detail subsequently, the loop members 50*V and 52 inthisposition function to securea fishing line passing therebetween. Uponcounterclockwise movement of the rod portion 12 from a cocked positionto its rest position, there is initially lost rotary motion as the rack56 slides alongvthe periphery of the boss 18a toward the cam 62, thenthe rack 56 engages the cam and is forced to move outwardly to the outerperiphery thereof, thereby releasing the line clamped between the loopmembers 50 and 52. To facilitate this movement, the rack 56 has abeveled portion 64 adapted to follow an end wall 63 of the cam 62. Thisstructure is best illustrated in FIG- URE 4.

It will be noted that by proper positioning of the cam 62, the angle ofthe rod portion 12 relative to the handle 10 at which the loop members50 and 52 separate to release the line passing therethrough may be setto any desired value.

For the purpose of illustration, a spinnng reel 70 is shown mounted onthe handle 10. This spinning reel supplies the fishing line 72 which maybe of any conventional type. As shown, the line 72 is threaded throughguiding eyelets 73, located at spaced intervals along the rod 12, whichconfine the line 72 to `a path extending along the rod 12. In practice,the fisherman usually attaches a leader 74 to the fishing line. Theleader is ordinarily much stronger than the line itself and has theprimary function of reducing the opportunity of a fish to abrade orotherwise weaken the line.

In the present invention, the leader 74 may be used advantageously toperform another function. If the length of the leader is somewhat longerthan the overall length of the rod portion 12, the knot 76 which isordinarily formed when the leader is joined to the fishing line may beso located that it lies adjacent but slightly inside of the loop members50 and 52 when the line is reeled in for casting operation. Under suchcircumstances, the knot will function to positively lock the` linebetween the loop members 50 and 52 when these members are positioned toclamp the line. 'Ihis locking condition is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the line 72 and leader 74 passing through the loopmember 52 such that when the loop members 50 and 52 are in parallelengaging position the line is necessarily clamped therebetween. In thisregard it will be noted that the central apertures in the loop members50 and 52 are of equal diameter such that the loop members have alignedinner margins when disposed side by side. This minimizes the possibilitythat the knot will work in between the loop members and force themapart. FIGURE 5 illustrates the line passing through the loop 52. As aresult, line movement is virtually unobstructed after the loop 52 haspivoted tothe position illustrated in FIGURE 3.

While the formation of a positive lock through the medium of a knot inthe fishing line has been discussed in connection with the presentinvention, it is to be understood that a positive lock such as obtainedwith a knot 1c an be obtained with other types of bulges formed in theFIGURES 7 through l0 illustrate a modified casting rod comprising ahandle and a rod 102. The mechanism for pivotally joining the rod to thehandle is best illustrated in FIGURE 8. There it will be noted that thehandle 100 includes an elongate tubular housing 104 closed at one end asillustrated at 105.V Near the center of the handle, the casing 104 isencircled by a pair of spaced ferrules 106 and 108. The former isfixedly secured to the handle by a screw 110, and the latter is slidablyadjustable on the casing by means of a ring nut 112 threadedly engagingthe casing. These ferrules and 108 cooperate to clamp the base 114 of asuitable casting reel or spinning device, not shown. On either side ofthe ferrules 106 and 108 the casing 104 is covered with sleeve members116 and 118 for ornamentation.

A pair of spaced generally circular plates 120 and 122 are welded to theopen'end of the casing 104. For adequate bearing support, the plates 120and 122 have portions 124 and 126 projecting into the open ends of thecasing. These plates are each provided with a central aperture. Aninternally threaded socket element pro- 3 Jects through the aperture inthe plate 120, and a screw element 128 threadedly engaging the socketelement 136 projects through the aperture in the plate 122. A bear ing132 is mounted on the socket element 130 between the plates 120 and 122,and these plates are drawn tightly against the ends of the bearing bymeans of the screw 128. The length of the bearing 132 thereby determinesthe separation between the plates 120 and 122.

A sprocket member 134 having notches 136 therein is mounted for rotationupon the bearing 132 between the plates 120 and 122. The fishing rod102, provided with a metallic end piece 150, is secured tothe sprocketmember through the medium of an adapter 152 fastened to the sprocketmember with suitable fasteners 154. The arrangement is such that the rod102 may be pivoted relative to the handle 108 through rotation of thesprocket member 134 on its bearing 132.

A chain 138, having its terminal link secured to the sprocket member 134'at 140, extends from the sprocket member into the casing 104.Internally of the casing at 139, the chain engages a rod 142 whichterminates in a threaded portion receiving a nut 145 securing a washer144 on the rod. An elongate spring 146 encircles the rod 142 and thechain 138, one end of the spring engaging the washer 144 and theopposite end of the spring engaging the portions 124 and 126 of .theplates 120 and 122. The tendency of the spring 146 to expand places aclockwise torque on the sprocket member 134, as viewed in FIGURE 8.

The rotational position of the sprocket wheel 134 is governed by:atrigger member illustrated generally at 160. This trigger member,which is preferably although not necessarily formed in one piece withheavy gauge sheet metal, includes an upwardly directed folded portion164 which supports a detent member 166 between the opposite sidesthereof. As will be described hereinafter, the detent 166 is adapted toengage various notches 136 in the sprocket member 134. The triggermember is pivoted on a screw element 162 engaging the plates 128 and 122so as to enable movement of the detent 166 into and out of engagementwith the notches of the sprocket wheel.

The trigger member also includes an integral lever portion 172 extendingsubstantially at right angles to the portion 164 rearwardly along thehandle. This lever is used to manually pivot the trigger member.Extending oppositely from the lever 172 is an arm portion 168 adapted toengage a stop 170 mounted on the sprocket wheel 134. Due tothe torqueapplied to the sprocket member 134 by the spring 146, the stop 178 actson the arm 168 so as to urge the trigger member in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 8. Thus, the stop 178, acting on the armportion 168, urges the detent 166 away from the periphery of thesprocket wheel and also presses the lever 172 against the handle 100.Preferably, the sleeve 118 mounted on the handle casing 104 is providedwith a suitable recess 174 which receives the lever 172, therebyenabling the lever 172 to move to a position ush with the surface of thehandle. A spring 176, situated within a suitable housing 178 supportedbetween the plates 120 and 122, biases the trigger member 160 in aclockwise direction in 'opposition to the bias applied by the stopmember 170 associated with the sprocket wheel 134.

The operation of lthe trigger member is as follows. When the fishing rodis pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 8 thesprocket member 134, acting through the medium of the chain 138,compresses the spring 146. As the stop 170 on the sprocket wheel 134moves away from the arm 168, vthe spring 176 becomes effective to biasthe trigger member 160 in a clockwise direction so as to urge the detent166 carried by the trigger member against the periphery of the sprocketwheel. With continued counterclockwise movement of the sprocket member134, the detent 166 cams away from successive notches in the sprocketwheel due to the shape of these notches. However, as soon 'ascounterclockwise rotation of the sprocket wheel ceases, the detent `166drops into the closest notch 136 and holds the sprocket member in itscocked position. When the detent'166 is in this position, the lever 172is pivoted upwardly away from the handle, as shown in FIGURE 7. 1f thelever 172 is then manually depressed against the handle 100, the detent166 is disengaged fromthe sprocket wheel and the spring 146 becomeseffective to pivot the Vrod 102 to its rest position which issubstantially vparallel to the handle 100. When the rod 102 reaches itsrest position, the stop 170 on the sprocket member engages the arm 168associated with the trigger member, thereby stopping further clockwiserotation of the sprocketmember 134 Vand forcing the lever 172 to itsposition flush the decorative sleeve 118 on the handle 100. -r

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the mechanism' described enablespivotal movement of the rod 102 to a cocked position. Upon actuation ofthe lever 172 the spring 146'acts to drive theV rod 102 violently to arest position parallel with the handle 100. As discussed in connectionwith the rst embodiment, this pivotal movement of the fishing rod can beemployed .to effect a casting operation. However, as was the case in thefirst embodiment, it is necessary for satisfactory Vcasting to providesome means for clamping the shing line during' the casting stroke untilthe rod is very nearly in its rest position. Since monofilament linesare conventionally used in casting equipment, the ditculties in grippingthe line are particularly acute. Thus, monolame'nt lines are susceptibleto injury from pressure. VIt is therefore preferable to grip the linewith a gentle pressure applied over a large area in a controlledfashion.

As p-art of the mechanism for clamping the-line, an arcuate cant 180 issecured to the sprocket wheel 134 by suitable fastening members 182. Theouter curved `sur'- face of this cam is disposed substantiallyconcentric to the axis of rotation of the sprocket member. It would bepossible, of course, to use this cam to operate a line engaging means ofthe type disclosed in the first embodiment. However, in the presentembodiment, this cam is used to operate a different type of lineengaging means.

This line engaging means includes a generally cubical housing 184provided with oppositely disposed lugs 198 and 282. The housing 184rests against the outer -face of the plate 122, the Ilug 198 beingprovided with an aperture 200 through which the screw 128 passes and thelug 202 being secured to theV outer margin of the plate 122 with ascrew204.

As illustrated in FIGURE 9, the housing 184 `isrpartitioned by a iixedwall portion 186. This wall 186 Vand the opposite sides of the housing184 are apertured so as to receive an elongate flexible, preferablyelastomeric, tube 188 passing through the housing. The aperture in thewall 186 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube 188 such thatthis wall holds the tube in postion. The apertures 187 and 189 in thehousing 184 are larger than the diameter of the tube 188 so as to permitfree movement of the ends of the tube.

A cam follower element 190 fits in the base of the housing. This camfollower element is provided with a pair of lugs 192 which straddle thewall portion 186. On the opposite side of the cam follower element is alug 194 which projects through a rectangular window 196 in the plate 122to engage the cam 180 on the sprocket member 134.

The construction is such that when the rod 102,'` is in its restposition, the lug 194 on the cam followeris disengaged from the cam 180and the lugs 192 on the cam follower project into the housing 184adjacent the tubing 188. When the rod 102 is pivoted to a cockedposition,

an inclined surface 206 on the cam 180 engages the lug 194 on the camfollower and moves the cam follower upwardly in the housing 184, asviewed in FIGURES 8 and both compression and distortion.

use of relatively inexpensive plastic parts. Vhousing 184 and camfollower 199 are of plastic construc- 7 V9. As the cam follower movesupwardly in the housing, the lugs 192 engage and distort or kink thetubing 188. FIGURE 10 illustrates the distorted condition of the tubing`188 when the rod 102 is in the cocked position ,such that the lug 194on the cam follower engages the outer curved surface of the cam 18). Inthis figure, a fishing line 210 is included to show howthe line isgripped Vby the tube 188.

In the distorted condition, portions of the tube 188 on opposite sidesof the wall 185 are forced upwardly against the top of the housingcausing the inner wall of the tube to compress slightly the line 210 inthe distorted condition. The center and outer ends of the tube are bentangularly when the tube is distorted, insuring that the inner Wall ofthe tube will press against the line 214i along substantially the entirelength of the line within the housing 1&4.

lt is important to note that the line is both compressed and distortedor curved out of its straight line condition in the present embodiment..It is found that mere compression in the absence of distortion requiresa much greater compressive force than is required when there is In thelatter case, the force delivered to the tube through the medium of thelugs 192 need not be as large and the possibility of damage to thefishing line is minimized. Further, this enables When the tion, the camfollower lug 194 may be provided with a metal tip, not shown, to reducefrictional wear caused by repeated sliding contact between this lug andthe cam 180.

In operation of the casting device, the fishing line 2113 which emergesfrom a suitable casting reel or spinning "device is passed through theflexible tube 183 and then through the various eyelets on the fishingrod to the outer end of the fishing rod. Beyond the end of the fishingrod, a suitable weight, not shown, may be secured to the line. When therod 102 is pivoted to a cocked position, the flexible tube 188 isdistorted, as shown. When the lever 172 is depressed enabling the spring146 to return the rod to its rest position, the fishing line 210 remainsclamped in the flexible tube 188 until the lug 194, associated with thecam follower. 190, drops down the surface 206 on the cam 180. Thenatural resiliency of the exible tubing 188 then causes the tubing tostraighten itself, providing a free path for movement of the linetherethrough. When this free path exists, the momentum associated withthe weight secured to the line carries the weight away from the rod asin the ordinary manual casting operation.

From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that the present `castingmechanism simulates very closely the manual operations carried out by afisherman who casts with conventional equipment including a spinningreel. When a casting reel is used rather than a spinning reel, it isnecessary for the fisherman to brake the momentum of ythe casting reelin the usual manner; however, the present casting mechanism is otherwiseVfully automatic.

It isto be observed that the particular construction of the presentdevice enables the use of a comparatively long compression spring foraccomplishing the casting operation. A long spring of this type offersthe advantage that the casting movement is smooth and steady. Where ashort spring must be used, the amplification of motion between thespring and the rod must be increased with the result that the movementof theA fishing rod becomes abrupt and there is no steady castingmovement.

cocked position. Accordingly, the chain will ordinarily contact onlyabout of the sprocket. Beyond that portion of the periphery, the notchesneed not be uniformly spaced and no notches are required in the vicinityof the adapter 152. As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the notches in theperiphery of the sprocket member 134 above the adapter 152, as viewed inFIGURE 8, may be more widely spaced, these notches serving only tolocate various cocked positions for the rod 162. It is preferable toincrease the spacing between notches and to make the teeth formed by thenotches larger in this area of the sprocket wheel since the forceexerted by the spring 146 is largest at this point. This gives themaximum tooth strength where it is needed most.

Although the preferred embodiment .of the device has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement ofparts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. in a casting device including a fishing rod having a handlepivotallyV secured thereto, means to supply a fishing line, means toconfine said line to a path extending along said rod, said rod beingpivotable relative to said handle between a cocked position and a restposition, and means biasing said rod to the rest position for thepurpose of casting the fishing line passing from the handle along therod, clamping means for gripping the line in the cocked position, saidclamping means including a pair of clamping members mounted for relativemovement on one of said handle and rod elements, said line passingbetween said clamping members, cam means carried by one of said rod andhandle elements and cam follower means carried by the other of said rodand handle elements coacting on pivotal movement of said rod relative tosaid handle to move said clamping members into and out of compressiveengagement with the line such that the line is clamped in the cockedposition and free of the clamping members in the rest position.

2. The casting device according to claim 1 wherein said cam followermeans has lost motion on said cam means operating to delay release ofsaid line as the rod moves away from the cocked position.

3. A casting device including a fishing rod element and a handle elementpivotally secured thereto, said rod element being pivotable relative tosaid handle element between a cocked position and a rest position, meansbiasing the rod element to the rest position, fishing line supply meansmounted on said handle element to supply line extending along said rodelement, and means for gripping the line in the cocked position of saidrod element and releasing the line on approach of the rod element to therest position, said gripping means comprising a pair of clamping membersmounted one fixedly and one movably on one of said rod and handleelements, said line passing between the clamping members, a cam elementsecured to the other of said rod and handle elements, an actuatorresponsive to said cam element for positioning said movable clampingmember, and means biasing said actuator against said cam element, saidcam element and said actuator cooperating to move said movable clampingmember into and out of engagement with said fixed clamping member toclamp and release. said line as the rod element pivots relative to thehandleelement.

4. The casting device according to claim 3 wherein said cam element isspaced from said actuator when said rod element is in the cockedposition such that said clamping members remain in line clampingengagement during a fixed increment of pivotal movement of said rodelement toward the rest position.

5. In a casting device including a fishing rod having handle and rodelements on pivotal movement thereof to kink said tube such that theline passing therethrough is clamped in the cocked position and freed inthe rest position.

6. A casting device comprising a handle, means t supply a fishing linemounted on said handle, rotary means including a fishing rod portionsupported by the handle for rotation relative thereto, said lineextending from saidV supply means along said rod portion, said rodportion extending substantially radially relative to the axis ofrelative rotation, yielding means biasing said rotary means in apredetermined direction of rotation, means coacting between said handleand said rotary means to provide a stop for limiting the rotation ofsaid rotary means in the direction of bias, said rotary means beingrotatable away from said stop against the bias of said yielding means toa cocked position, a latch mechanism coacting between said handle andsaid rotary means to releasably retain said rotary means in a cockedposition, and line clamping means operating in response to rotation ofsaid rotary means to clamp said line when said rotary means is Vin thecocked positionand to release said line as the rotary means moves towardsaid stop, said line clamping means including a flexible tube supportedby one of said handle and rotary means, said line passing through saidtube, and means to kink and simultaneously compress said tube to therebyclamp said line, said last named means including a cam and cam followercoacting between said handle and said rotary means, said cam followeroperating in response to rotation of said rotary means to kink said tubeand compress said line as said rotary means moves to a cocked positionand to release the kink in said tube so as to free said line as therotary means moves toward said stop.

7. In a casting device including av rod and a handle pivotally securedthereto, said rod being pivotable relative to said handle between acocked position and a rest position, means yieldingly urging said rod topivot to said rest position, line supply means mounted on said device tosupply a line, means confining said line to apath, a portion of whichextends along said rod, gripping means mounted on said device adjacentsaid path for gripping said line, said line in said path passing throughsaid gripping means, and means responsive solely to pivotal movement ofthe rod relative to the handle for actuating said gripping means to gripsaid line as therod pivots from the rest position toward a cockedposition and for releasing said line as the rod moves from the cockedposition to said rest position.

8. A casting device comprising a handle, means to supply a fishing linemounted on said handle, rotary means including a fishing rod portionsupported by the handle for rotation relative thereto, means to connesaid line to a path extending from said supply meansalong said rod ioperating solely in response to rotation of said rotary means foractuating said line clamping means to clamp said line in said path whensaid rotary means is in the cocked position and release said lineas therotary means moves toward said stop.

9. A casting device according to claim 8 wherein said line clampingmeans includes a pair of clamping members mounted for relative movementon one of said handle and rotary means, said line passing between saidclamping members, and wherein said means to actuate said line clampingmeans includes cam means coacting between said handle and rotary meanson pivotal movement thereof to move said clamping members into and outof compressive Vengagement such that the line is clamped in the cockedposition and is freed from the clamping members as the rotary means,moves toward the rest position.

l0. A casting device according to claim 9 wherein onev including a shingrod portion supported by the handle` for rotation relative thereto,means to confine said line to a path extending from said supply meansalong said` rod portion, said rod portion extending substantiallyradially relative to the axis of relative rotation, yielding meansbiasing said rotary means in a predetermined direction or rotation,means coacting between said handle and said rotary means to provide astop for limiting the rotation of said rotary means in the direction ofbias, said rotary means being rotatable away from said stop against thebias of said yielding means to a cocked position, a latch mechanismcoacting between said handle and said rotary means to releasably retainsaid rotary means in a cocked position, and line clamping meansoperating solely in response `to rotation of said rotary means to clampsaid Vline when said rotary means is in the cocked position to therebyclamp said line, said last named means including a cam and cam4 followercoacting between said handle and rotary means, said cam followeroperating in response to rotation of said rotary means to kink said tubeand` compress said kline as the rotary means moves to a cocked positionand to release the kink in said tube so as to free said line as Vtherotary means moves toward said stop.`

portion, said rod portion extending substantially radially means toreleasablyr retain said rotary means in a cockedv position, lineclamping means mounted on said device adjacent said path for clampingsaid line, said linein said Y path passing through said clamping means,and means l2. ln a casting device including a iishing rod and a handlepivotally secured thereto, said rod being'pivotable relative to said,handle between a cocked position and a rest position, fishing linesupply means mounted on said device to supply a line, means coniiningsaid line to a path extending along said rod, gripping means mounted onsaid device adjacent said path to grip said line, said line in said pathpassing through said. gripping means, and means responsive solelytopivotal movement of the rod relative to the handle for actuating 'saidgripping means to grip the line in said path as the rod pivots from therest position toward a cocked position and'to release said line as Vtherod-'moves from the cocked position to the 1 1 movement of the linethrough the Clamping members when the latter are in position to grip theline.

13. The improvement accord-ing to claim 12 wherein said clamping memberseach include a loop portion, said clamping members having relativemovement for positioning said loop portions side by side, said line andsaid bulge passing freely through one of said loop portions, said loopportions when disposed in side by side relation having aligned innermargins which cooperate to coniine said bulge and thereby secure saidline.

14. A casting device including a fishing rod and a handle pivotallysecured thereto, said rod being pivotable relative to said handlebetween a cocked position and a rest position, iishing line `supplymeans mounted on said handle to supply a line, means torconne said lineto a path extending along said rod, a leader knotted to the end of saidline, gripping means mounted on said device adjacent said path to gripsaid line in said path, and means responsive solely to pivotal movementof the rod relative to the handle for actuating said gripping means togrip the line as the rod pivots from the rest position toward a cockedposition and to release the line as the rod moves from the cockedposition toward the rest position, said gripping means includingrelatively movable clamping members positioned on said device along thepath of La said line between said supply means and the outer end of saidrod for clamping upon the line, said line in said -path passing throughsaid gripping means, the improve- References Cited in the tile of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 496,958 Scheid May 9, 1893 1,140,608Phillips May 25, 1915 1,934,702 Fante Nov. 14, 1933 2,662,329 Henry Dec.15, 1953 2,765,568 Kozar Oct. 9, 1956 2,791,858 Kernodle May 14, 19572,810,982 Bucciarelli Oct. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 827,107 GreatBritain Feb. 3, 1960

1. IN A CASTING DEVICE INCLUDING A FISHING ROD HAVING A HANDLE PIVOTALLYSECURED THERETO, MEANS TO SUPPLY A FISHING LINE, MEANS TO CONFINE SAIDLINE TO A PATH EXTENDING ALONG SAID ROD, SAID ROD BEING PIVOTABLERELATIVE TO SAID HANDLE BETWEEN A COCKED POSITION AND A REST POSITION,AND MEANS BIASING SAID ROD TO THE REST POSITION FOR THE PURPOSE OFCASTING THE FISHING LINE PASSING FROM THE HANDLE ALONG THE ROD, CLAMPINGMEANS FOR GRIPPING THE LINE IN THE COCKED POSITION, SAID CLAMPING MEANSINCLUDING A PAIR OF CLAMPING MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT ONONE OF SAID HANDLE AND ROD ELEMENTS, SAID LINE PASSING BETWEEN SAIDCLAMPING MEMBERS, CAM MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID ROD AND HANDLEELEMENTS AND CAM FOLLOWER MEANS CARRIED BY THE OTHER OF SAID ROD ANDHANDLE ELEMENTS COACTING ON PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROD RELATIVE TOSAID HANDLE TO MOVE SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS INTO AND OUT OF COMPRESSIVEENGAGEMENT WITH THE LINE SUCH THAT THE LINE IS CLAMPED IN THE COCKEDPOSITION AND FREE OF THE CLAMPING MEMBERS IN THE REST POSITION.